What will I learn/study in this program?

The Art History program at KCAD offers a critical academic investigation into both the history of art and the history of design, with an added option of focused studio experiences. You will develop a deep understanding of visual creativity and examine the historical, political, social, and personal forces that influence artists and designers.

A foundational survey sequence introduces you to a chronology of periods, artists, styles, patronage, and aesthetic themes while you develop the basic skills of critical analysis. Then, mid-level courses will continue to deepen your knowledge, adding a global perspective and more theoretical context to your study of art history. Finally, advanced seminars provide opportunities to study more focused art historical topics within smaller classes that stimulate lively discussion, intensive research, and critical writing.

You’ll also round your education out with a wide range of general education courses that will stimulate your curiosity, broaden your perspective, and inspire new creative expressions. KCAD’s flexible General Education Pathways model empowers you to direct your learning by exploring subjects you find most engaging and relevant.

What skills will I develop in this program?

As an Art History major, you will be able to analyze key monuments, principle artists/designers, and cultural/aesthetic concepts, using a variety of art historical methods. You will learn to think and write critically, and place art/design objects in a cross-cultural, global framework. In addition, you will be able to read, evaluate, and apply scholarly research from a variety of disciplines and critical approaches. Thus, you will emerge from the program prepared for professional art history careers and/or graduate studies.

Why study Art History at KCAD?

KCAD’s Art History program offers a chronological study of fine art periods and related cultural themes, while also surveying the broader perspective of global design. Specialized classes explore the art of particular regions as well as the history of design disciplines such as graphic, interior, fashion, and industrial design.

Separate studio and academic tracks within the Art History major provide breadth and flexibility, allowing you to focus on your individual interests. The studio track is for those who want the added hands-on experience of studio foundation courses plus a studio minor. The academic track is for those who prefer to deepen their understanding of the cultural context of art/design through extensive liberal arts/sciences courses. Whichever track you choose, the KCAD Art History faculty tailor class topics and teaching styles to student needs, and their knowledge reflects current art historical concepts and practices.

Where can I expect this degree to take me professionally?

Art historians concern themselves not only with art production and art objects, but also with related cultural and aesthetic issues. As a result, there are many professional opportunities for KCAD Art History graduates. You can continue your education and pursue graduate degrees in Art History or other areas such as historic preservation, art business, art conservation, museum studies, or art law. You could consider a career as a curator, exhibition assistant, archivist, or art handler/assistant at a gallery or museum. You might become an art educator, or an art writer/critic, with both print and digital media as publishing options.

As a student in this program, what tools/technologies/support systems will I have access to?

Explore a wealth of art history resources in the KCAD Library, which provides access to millions of books through the MeLCat shared library catalog as well as access to specialized research databases and subscriptions to scholarly journals. If you’re looking for a more hands-on experience with the past, KCAD’s Study Away programs offer opportunities to learn in some of the world’s most culturally rich countries.

Right here in Grand Rapids, you’ll enjoy a free membership to the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), which boasts a permanent collection including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Mary Cassatt, William Blake, and Albrecht Durer, among many others; and a free membership to KCAD’s Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), an innovative cultural institution hosting exhibitions of such contemporary artists and designers as Nick Cave, Kehinde Wiley, Kara Walker, Nari Ward, Carrie Mae Weems, and Judi Werthein. Of course, there’s always The Fed Galleries @ KCAD as well, an on-campus exhibition space featuring the work of nationally and internationally-recognized artists and designers.

What other KCAD programs might I be interested in learning more about?

Art History / Studio

The process of drawing as observation and conceptualization through eye-hand coordination. Emphasizes linear construction with concern for accurate proportion and simple positive-negative/figure-ground relationships. Includes an in-depth study of linear perspective. (Students who have earned FSU credit for VISC 112 Drawing I, may not use credit earned in KCDR 131 to meet graduation requirements.

Emphasis on development of convincing illusion of three-dimensional objects, through the combined use of line, value, proportion, and composition. This course focuses on the further refinement of the concepts, processes, and techniques introduced in Drawing I. Expanded exploration of perspective, composition, color investigation, media exploration, and idea development within traditional subject matter will be emphasized.

To explore the elements, principles and aesthetic concepts integral to three-dimensional design and to consider relationships between concept, process, materials, tools and technical skills. (Students who have earned credit for ARTS 120, 3-D Design, may not use credit earned in KCSF 11 to meet graduation requirements.)

This course focuses on using writing to develop ideas, hone critical thinking skills, and express ideas clearly and appropriately according to audience and purpose. Students write in a variety of modes and spend a portion of the semester engaging in scholarly research. Students also develop their public speaking skills.

This course provides a core understanding of effective storytelling. It examines the ways in which storytellers-both past and present-craft, organize, and convey ideas to successfully impact audiences, doing so through both inquiry into established narratives, as well as students' own experiments with narrative forms.

This course examines what it means to be a member of a particular society and how individuals both form and are formed by society. It will provide students with a better understanding of the social and cultural worlds they inhabit.

This course is an inquiry into the nature and power of philosophy to transform the way we experience the world around us and understand our place within it. Through a selection of readings representing various philosophical traditions and perspectives, critical discussion, and writing, students will examine some of the great questions that have intrigues philosophers from antiquity to present.

An overview of the Western Art tradition from prehistory through the Renaissance using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 110, Prehistoric through Middle Ages, may not use credit earned in KCAH 111 to meet graduation requirements.)

A survey of Western art from the Baroque to the present, this course will continue building upon the foundation of Western Art I; Prehistoric through the Renaissance, using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 111, Renaissance through 20th Century, may not use credit earned in KCAH 112 to meet graduation requirements.)

An examination of the concept of Modernism and how it is expressed in Western art and architecture from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 310, History of Twentieth Century Art, may not use credit earned in KCAH 311.)

This course focuses on using writing to develop ideas, hone critical thinking skills, and express ideas clearly and appropriately according to audience and purpose. Students write in a variety of modes and spend a portion of the semester engaging in scholarly research. Students also develop their public speaking skills.

This course provides a core understanding of effective storytelling. It examines the ways in which storytellers-both past and present-craft, organize, and convey ideas to successfully impact audiences, doing so through both inquiry into established narratives, as well as students' own experiments with narrative forms.

This course examines what it means to be a member of a particular society and how individuals both form and are formed by society. It will provide students with a better understanding of the social and cultural worlds they inhabit.

This course is an inquiry into the nature and power of philosophy to transform the way we experience the world around us and understand our place within it. Through a selection of readings representing various philosophical traditions and perspectives, critical discussion, and writing, students will examine some of the great questions that have intrigues philosophers from antiquity to present.

An overview of the Western Art tradition from prehistory through the Renaissance using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 110, Prehistoric through Middle Ages, may not use credit earned in KCAH 111 to meet graduation requirements.)

A survey of Western art from the Baroque to the present, this course will continue building upon the foundation of Western Art I; Prehistoric through the Renaissance, using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 111, Renaissance through 20th Century, may not use credit earned in KCAH 112 to meet graduation requirements.)

An examination of the concept of Modernism and how it is expressed in Western art and architecture from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 310, History of Twentieth Century Art, may not use credit earned in KCAH 311.)

Anne Norcross M.A.

Stefanie Snider Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

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Art reveals insights into the culture of a nation or group, the attitudes of a time period, even the nature of a struggle or a conflict. Thus, as an art historian you’ll concern yourself not just with art production and art objects, but also with cultural and aesthetic issues, which opens a wide variety of career opportunities.

You’ll be ready upon graduation to continue your education in art history or related fields, or to enter into employment in museum, publication, or similar work. The increasingly digital nature of the modern world is opening many more national and international career options for Art History majors.